Cross-rail clamping mechanism for machine tools



April 17, 1928. 1,666,431

A. TROSCH CROSS RAIL CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed May 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Shae; l

& f June ml o1 April 17, 1928. 1,666,431

A. TROSCH CROSS RAIL CLAMPING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE TOOLS Filed May 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 fnuenior Patented Apr. 17, 1928.

UNITED STA Es reaTENT OFFICE.

ALrRED moses; or nonsense, New roux, assienon To CONSOLIDATED macfimn OF DELAWARE Toot oonr'onarioi r or Anna-tea, or Rocnssasa, NEW YORK, A coaronaf'rien CiidS-RAIL CLAMP'ING MECHANISM FOR MACHINE 'roons.

Application filed May 4,

My invention relates to cross-rail clamping means for machine tools such as planers boring 'mills, planer type milling machines, and the like, and has for its purpose to afford mechanism thatcanhe-quickly and readily operated either to clamp or release the cross rail to the uprights.

Another object of the invention is to afford a clamping mechanism of simple construction, that functions to clamp the crossrail to both edges of the uprights and to hold the cross-rail at its adjusted position with maximum rigidity and stiffness.

A further purpose of my improvement is to afford a form and arrangement of clamping member that lends itself readily to thesimultaneous control of a multiplicity of clamping units, and which permits efficiently clamping to both the inner and outer edges of the uprights.

To these ends, the'invention comprises the construction that will appear clearly from the following description when read. in con junction with the accompanying drawings, the novel features being pointed out in the claims following the specification.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a planer showing my invention applied thereto;

Figure 2 is a plan View;

Figure 3 is an enlarged view partially broken away and in section;

Figure 4 is a vertical sectional View on line 4.4 of Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of one of the clamping members.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to the same parts, 1' designates the cross-rail of a planer including uprights 2 to which the cross-rail is clamped after adjustment to proper position. In order to effect rigid clamping onto the uprights, so that the crossrail may be held firmly in position, I provide means for clamping to both the inner and outer edges of each upright, the details of which I will now describe.

Referring to Figure 3, 3 designates the inner edge of one of the uprights while 4 is the outer edge of the same, each edge being gripped by a clamping member that is of the same general construction. Each clamping member is preferably of elongated construction and comprises an upright-en- 1925. Serial No. 27,790.

gaging or clamping portion or edge 5 and a central portion 6 having openings 7 that engage posts 8 fixed to the cross-rail. The posts 8 support the clamping member on the cross-rail, and the openings 7 are made slightly larger than the posts 8 to permit a slight play or tilting of the clamping member upon the posts 8 about a vertical axis. This tilting motion is determined by step means preferably in the form of nuts 9 atthe outer ends of the post's 8. The nuts 9 are adjustable and after being placed in proper position, serve as abutments against which the clamping member rocks to grip the upright. On the other side of the central portion 6, the clamping member includes an inclined surface 10 which is engaged by a taperedor wedge actuator 11 to effect the necessary tilting movement just referred to. The wedge actuator 11 ismoved upwardly or downwardly by a threaded post 12 which has fixed to its upper end a worm gear 13 operated by a worm 14; on the operating shaft 15. a v

There is a clamping unit such as just described for. both edges of each upright, and there is an operating worm for each clamping unit, all of the operating worms being fixed upon the common opera-ting shaft 15 which has a squared end 16 upon which an operating handle is positionable for turning when it is desired to effect clamping or releasing of the cross-rail upon the uprights.

The invention affords an extremely practical andeffective clamping mechanism that can be controlled with great facility and certainty, and the structure described may be changed in detail without departing from the fundamental features or character of my improvements. This application is intended to cover any modifications or departures coming within the intent of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with the uprights and cross-rail of a machine tool such as a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprights including clamping members for both the inner and outer edges of each upright, and means for simultaneously operating the several clamping members.

2 The combination with the uprights and cross-rail of a machine tool such as a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprights including clamping members for both the inner andouter edges of each upright, and means controllable from one end of the cross-rail for simultaneously operating theseveral clamping members. 7

3. The combination with the uprights and cross-rail ot a machine tool such as a planer, of means vtor clamping the cross-rail to the uprights including clamping memberstor both the inner and outer edges of each upright, and means For simultaneously actuat ing the several clai'nping members said actu ating means extending along the crossbeyond both uprights and operable 11. one end oit' the cross-rail.

4. The combination with the uprights and cross'rail ot'a machine tool such as planer, of means for clamping; the cross-rail to the uprights including clamping members for both the inner and outer edges of each up right, and means tor simultaneously actuating the several clamping members. said actuating means consistii'ig ot a shaft located on top of the cross-rail and extending from one end thereof to the other, said shaft being operable from one end of the crossrail.

5. The combination with the uprights and cross-rail ot a machine tool such as a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprights including a tiltable clamping memher for each of the inner and outer edges of: the uprights, a vertically movable wedge actuator for each clamping member, a vertically arranged screw for elevating or lowering each wedge actuator, and means carried by the cross-rail for simultaneously operating said screws, said operating means ex:- tending along the cross-rail beyond both uprights and operable from one end ot the cross-rail.

6. The combination with the uprights and cross-rail of a machine tool such as a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprights including a tiltable clamping member tor each of the inner and outer edges of the uprights, a vertically movable wedge actuator for each clamping member, a vertically arranged screw for elevating or lower- .actuator, a worm wheel fixed to the and mea tor operating the worm wheel.

neeaear uprights comprising a tiltable clamping me aber cooperating with an upright, a vertically movable wedge actuator for the clamping member, a vertically arranged screw for elevating or lowering the wedge screw 8. T he combination with the uprights and cross-rail of a machine tool such as a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprightscomprising tiltable clamping members cooperating with both the inner and outer edges of each upright, a vertically movable wedge actuator for each clamping member, a vertically arranged screw for elevating or lowering each wedge actuator, a worm wheel fixed to each screw, and a worm shaft carrying a series of'worms for simultaneously operating the several worm wheels to eli'ect engagement of the clamping members with said inner and outer edges or the uprights, said worm shattextending along the cross-rail beyond both uprights and op erable from one end ot the cross-rail.

9. The combination with the uprights and cross-rail ot a machine tool such as'a planer, of means for clamping the cross-rail to the uprights comprising clamping members cooperating with both the inner and, outer edges of each upright, each clamping member being tiltable about a vertical axis for engaging with an upright, a vertically movable wedge actuator for each clamping member, and means extending along the crossrail beyond both uprights and operable from one end of the cross-rail for simultaneously elevating or lowering all of said wedge actuators to effect engagement or disengagement with said inner and outer edges.

of the uprights.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

ALFRED TROSCH. 

